I had a chat with the Melco distributor here minutes ago. I’ll try to get the new N1 high-end system for a testing. Cool thing- they can (if I buy one) replace the internal SSD (3.8TB) with a 5TB HDD for me.
Seems that they’re working on an improved GUI (if one likes to use the Melco as a streamer). I will use it as an upnp server.
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Two reasons I do not use the streamer in my Bartok 2.0 and use the Aurender N100 instead.
Firstly, drop outs or lag when streaming via the Bartok. I never get this problem with the Aurender. I can only assume the Aurender is perhaps doing a far better job buffering the incoming stream. They are both wired direct to the router.
Secondly, the Conductor user interface is far easier to use, navigate and is rich in functionalities.
My dCS dealer stocks Aurender , Melco and Grimm . He said the new Melco is better than the last top model but they won’t be Stocking it . He said the Grimm MU1 is the best sounding streamer - he has one at home . Sadly I’m not a Roon user otherwise I would try it out .
does Grimm require roon?
…ok, just checked the specs…it runs on roon…
How many use the taiko extreme on here?
Any real advantage over the vivaldi upsampler streamer?
Also only usb out from the extreme, they have special programs for different dacs i see, not sure what or how that works, but dCS state that ethernet input is the better input for them.
Just wondering if it’s an inpovement or just different?
Cheers dunc
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This hard to give an answer to. To be sure of an improvement one does need hard data. Otherwise what remains is personal preference. Reading through the Taiko website I find many interesting assertions but not much where I could conclude "this is better"rather than simply accepting their opinion that it is. BTW I am not doubting that the Taiko is not be what it purports to be. In fact the more I read the more my interest was stimulated. Unfortunately ( fortunately?) the price is one big barrier to exploring further.
Anyway currently ittle seems to exist to indicate that it is unarguably better.
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KISS (keep it simple and stupid).
dCS Network Bridge plus QNAP HS-264 silent fanless NAS equipped with two 8TB Samsung 870 QVO SSDs. LAN switch is simple unmanaged Netgear GS105GE.
Absolutely silent, absolutely no complaint about SQ (the streaming servers like Spotify etc. determine the quality) and much less pricey than Aurender, Melco etc.
SQ from the NAS indistinguishable from SQ from the CD transport (provided one uses professional level ripping techniques like ExactAudioCopy or Steinberg WaveLab Pro on a workstation PC with ECC memory).
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Hi Martin,
I have a Qnap HS (2x 6TB) a Synology as well and a Melco. The SQ of the Melco vs a standard NAS is really much better in my setup. Once the Melco is up&running you don’t have to touch it again (apart from backup via USB). But I’m 100% with you regarding the simplicity! Less components, less stress, less error…
What can a Melco do better than a dCS Network Bridge ?
IMHO nothing, except that it features a built in SSD/HDD.
In my setup the music streaming via Ethernet either from the Internet or from the NAS is done by the dCS Network Bridge (nwb). The nwb takes care of all audio related functions (buffering, decoding, clocking, etc.) and delivers the music on standard audio outputs (AES, dual AES, SPDIF), not USB.
The NAS just transfers data via Ethernet from the SSDs to the nwb using minim server, and is in this context not a standard NAS (whatever you mean by standard NAS).
That was not my point Martin- I just suggested to test a Melco vs a standard NAS.
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OK. A Melco is a streamer with internal storage. An NAS is just a (network attached) storage without streaming.
Could you go more into detail on how you eventually connect the Melco or the standard NAS to your music system ?
In my setup the NAS is just external storage to the dCS Network Bridge. No PC/Mac involved for music streaming / music playback.
My point is:
In a dCS based system, be it the Network Bridge or any of the other components featuring streaming, an external streamer is completely obsolete. Using a NAS as external storage will also not have any impact whatsoever on SQ.
I use the Melco as NAS only with upnp service enabled, just like a synology or qnap NAS. From there, from a switch to dCS.
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OK. But the Melco benefits from its audio oriented features a standard NAS does not have.
Do you control the Melco or the NAS with Mosaic (with Minim Server installed) or with a NAS specific software ? Please give a much more detailed description of how you use your equipment. Otherwise I cannot understand your statement that Melco is better than standard NAS.
When using Melco as NAS you may connect directly to the dCS component using ethernet ( not using a switch) . Melcos have a dedicated tethernet port for network audio players. Unlike others it accordingly has two ethernet ports ( “in” and “out” as it were). It is generally held that ethernet connection to dCS is preferable to USB.
Melco’s software is accessible from the menu displayed on the unit’s display. This controls its “set and forget” functions such as selection of UPnP server software , RAID configuration, display brightness etc. However for day to day playing ( navigation and selection of albums, tracks) Mosaic controls this in a dCS combination when Melco’s role is as NAS . That is Mosaic requests Melco to send the relevant data using MinimServer.
Using Melco as a full streamer requires a USB connection as one is then using the dCS component effectively not as a network player but as a USB DAC . Day to day playing requires Melco’s software app, Melco Music HD ( only iOS version available), instead of Mosaic.
Why does dCS recommend MinimServer? :
Putting aside subjective comments on sound quality I chose my Melco originally due to
- Ease of installation compared to standard IT NAS equipment.
- Completely silent in operation
- styled as a normal audio component.
Points 2 and 3 are important to me to me in my smallish room where placement of the NAS elsewhere is not feasible.
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This is a Melco:
Special transformer, isloated ports, dedicated LAN port, re-clocking, special housing for HDD/SSD etc…
I do not control the Melco, I just install upnp (minimserv or twonky) and that’s it. All controlling is done via dCS Mosaic or roon.
Pete,
Out of curiosity= when you use the dedicated port for dCS how can you use roon without a switch then?
I can honestly say that I do not know as I am not and never have been a Roon subscriber. Sorry.
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Does this apply to the standard NAS as well ?